Motorsport

Sahara Force India Academy Racer, Jehan Daruvala, has confirmed his participation in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The 18-year-old Mumbai-based racer has been signed up by the world renowned team - Carlin, for their 2017 campaign.

Jehan’s maiden entry into Formula 3 comes after two productive seasons in Formula Renault, where he had 11 podiums at various circuits across Europe. After the conclusion of the Formula Renault season, the young Indian went on to participate in numerous Formula 3 tests and was eventually signed to Carlin after consistently being one of the fastest drivers during their tests.

The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team is looking at signing Spaniard Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, to replace current champion Nico Rosberg, who retired days after winning his title, the team's executive director Toto Wolff has said.

"You have to consider Fernando," Wolff was quoted saying in an interview with Sky Sports on Tuesday. "He is a driver I respect a lot. He combines talent, speed and experience. It's all there."

Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 Champions Gurmeet Virdi and Kirpal Singh Tung have put India firmly on the global off-roading map and ensured that their names will find a prominent mention in offroading history. The duo has not only become the first Indian team ever to successfully complete the Grand Final of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Global Series, but has also emerged on top in their category at the RFC 2016 Grand Final in Malaysia. Team India scored a total 1,361 points out of 2,400 after the completion of the 20th edition of what is considered to be one of the top 10 toughest motor races in the world. This ensured them the top spot in their category.

Gurmeet Virdi and Kirpal Singh Tung participated in Force Gurkha RFC India 2016 that was held in Goa in July and emerged as the winners of the competition. This win earned them an automatic entry in the RFC 2016 Grand Final, which is the culmination of the Global RFC Series having 25 editions worldwide. While this was Gurmeet’s second foray in RFC Global Final, it was Kirpal’s first ever international off-road competition experience. Gurmeet was the co-driver of Team India in RFC 2014 Grand Final, which was the first time an Indian team had participated in this coveted off-road motorsport competition.

The French Grand Prix will return to the Formula One calendar in 2018, 10 years after it was last held in 2008, the president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which will host the race has announced. Christian Estrosi said at a press conference on Monday that the event will take place at the Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet.

The decision was taken at a meeting in Geneva last Nov. 16 with the president of the Formula One Group, as well as the president of the International Automobile Federation.

Estrosi emphasized that the chosen circuit is an infrastructure recognized and appreciated by all teams and drivers.

India's Gaurav Gill notched up a historic win as he emerged champion in the Coffee Day India Rally, the concluding round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) on Monday.

It was the 35-year-old's sixth consecutive win in the APRC this season following his success in New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and Malaysia. In the process, the Delhi-based driver became the first person to win all rounds of an FIA championship on the way to annexing the title. The 2016 title is his second after his maiden triumph in 2013.

Indias racing sensation Armaan Ebrahim and his teammate Dilantha Malagamuwa of Sri Lanka concluded their 2016 racing season in style, winning the Pro Am championship in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series on Sunday. The talented duo also took the third position in the Pro category, thanks to their consistent performances through the year.

In the sixth round on Sunday, Armaan and Dilantha finished third in the morning race and fourth in the afternoon one to garner enough points to clinch the title.

Newly-crowned Formula One champion Nico Rosberg on Friday retired from racing with immediate effect in a shocking announcement, just five days after winning his maiden title. Rosberg stunned all while revealing his decision and said he isn't willing to put himself through the wringer, choosing not to make sacrifices again after achieving his long cherished dream.

Rosberg made the announcement at a Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) press conference where he received the trophy for becoming the world champion. He then wrote a lengthy farewell speech on Facebook.